AASHTO Design Equation

(Rigid Pavements)
Pavement Performance
p
( )
| |
=
|
\ .
|

t
t
W
p 1.5 4.5 4.5
4.5
p
t
Initial
Construction
terminal serviceability
W
t
Rigid Performance
( )
7.35
18
0.875 1 = + D
( )
7
18
8.46
1.62 10
1.0
1

= +
+ D
|
Design Equation
1966
( )
( )
t
10
10 18 10
7
8.46
p
log
1.5
l
4.5
4.5
og W 7.35log 1 0.06
1.62 10
1.0
1
D
D

| |
|

\ .
= + +

+
+
Design Equation
( )
( )
t
10
10 18 10
7
8.46
4.5 p
log
4.5 1.5
log W 7.35log D 1 0.06
1.62 10
1.0
D 1

| |
|

\ .
= + +

+
+
( )
( )
0.75
t
t 10
0.75
4
c
D 1.132
f
4.22 0.32p log
690
18.42
D
E k
(
(

(
| |
+
|
(
| |
\ .
(

|
|
(
\ .

1972
Concrete Tensile Strength (psi)
Concrete elastic modulus (psi)
Effective modulus of subgrade reaction (psi/in)
Design Equation
( )
( )
t
10
10 18 10
7
8
R 0
.46
4.5 p
log
4.5 1.5
log W 7.35log D 1 0.06
1.62 10
D
Z S
1.0
1

| |
|

\ .
= + + +

+
+
( )
( )
0.75
t 10
0.75
4
c
c d
S C
215.6
D 1.132
4.22 0.3
3 J
2p log
18.42
D
E k
(
(

(
+
(
| |
(

|
|

'

| |
|

.

\ .
(
\
1993
Concrete MOR (psi) Drainage Coefficient
Joint Load Transfer Coefficient
Drainage Coefficient, C
d
Quality
< 1% 1-5% 5-25% > 25%
Excellent 1.25-1.20 1.20-1.15 1.15-1.10 1.10
Good 1.20-1.15 1.15-1.10 1.10-1.00 1.00
Fair 1.15-1.10 1.10-1.00 1.00-0.90 0.90
Poor 1.10-1.00 1.00-0.90 0.90-0.80 0.80
Very Poor 1.00-0.90 0.90-0.80 0.80-0.70 0.70
Percentage of Time Material Approaches Saturation
Load Transfer Coefficient, J
Asphalt Shoulders Tied PCC Shoulders
Dowels
No
Dowels
Dowels
No
Dowels
J PCP
3.2 3.8 - 4.4 2.5 - 3.1 3.6 - 4.2
J RCP
CRCP 2.9 - 3.2 2.3 - 2.9
Standard Deviation, S
o
Source Flexible Rigid
AASHO Road Test S
n
0.35 0.25
AASHO Road Test S
o
0.45 0.35
Typical Range for S
o
0.40 0.50 0.35 0.40
Design Equation
( )
( )
t
10
10 18 R 0 10
7
8.46
4.5 p
log
4.5 1.5
log W Z S 7.35log D 1 0.06
1.62 10
1.0
D 1

| |
|

\ .
= + + +

+
+
( )
( )
0.75
c d
t 10
0.75
4
c
D 1.132
S C
4.22 0.32p log
215.63 J
18.42
D
E k
(
(

'
(
| |
+
|
(
| |
\ .
(

|
|
(
\ .

1993
Effective modulus of subgrade reaction (psi/in)
Calculating k
1. Assume a trial slab thickness, D
2. Determine seasonal values for M
R
and E
SB
3. Convert M
R
and E
SB
to composite k values
4. Adjust k values for shallow bedrock (if needed)
5. Convert k values to damage factors (u
f
)
6. Calculate an average damage factor (u
avg
)
7. Convert u
avg
into a year-round k
eff
value
8. Adjust k
eff
for loss of support over time
28
Burmisters Solution
Flexible Plate
29
Burmisters Solution
Rigid Plate
1.18
Plate Load Test
2a = 30"
Burmisters Solution
o 2
2
1.18qa
w F
E
=
2
o 2
q E
k
w 1.18aF
= =
1
2
3
4
5
6
1
2
3
Design Equation
( )
( )
t
10
10 18 R 0 10
7
8.46
4.5 p
log
4.5 1.5
log W Z S 7.35log D 1 0.06
1.62 10
1.0
D 1

| |
|

\ .
= + + +

+
+
( )
( )
0.75
c d
0.75
t 10
4
c
D 1.132
S C
4.22 0.32p log
215.63
18.42
D
E k
J
(
(

| |

|
|
'
(
| |
+
|
(

\ .
(
(

\ .
1993
Design Equation
( )
t
18
4.22 0.32p
0.75
4
c
1
W
18.42
D
E k

| |

|
|
\ .
( )
t
4.22 0.32p
0.75
4
18
c
1 18.42
D
W
E k

| |

|
|
\ .
Convert k to Damage Factor
b
0.75
i
4
c i
18.42
u D
E k
(
=
(
(

t
b 4.22 0.32 p =
Convert Damage Factor to k
( )
c
eff
4
1b
0.75
E
k
18.42
D u
=
(
(

(

t
b 4.22 0.32 p =
Simplified Version
( )
3.42
0.25
0.75
i i
u D 0.39 k
(
=

6
c t
Let E 5 10 psi andp 2.5 = =
( )
4
0.292
0.75
eff
D u
k
0.39
(

= (
(

Equation in the textbook is wrong
1
2
2
1
Loss of Support, LS
Foundation LS
Cement Treated Granular Base 0 1
Cement Aggregate Mixture 0 1
Asphalt Treated Base 0 1
Bituminous Stabilized Mixtures 0 1
Lime Stabilized Soil 1 3
Unbound Granular Materials 1 3
Natural Subgrade Materials 2 3
1
2
Design Equation
( )
( )
t
10
10 18 R 0 10
7
8.46
4.5 p
log
4.5 1.5
log W Z S 7.35log D 1 0.06
1.62 10
1.0
D 1

| |
|

\ .
= + + +

+
+
( )
( )
0.75
c d
t 10
0.75
4
c
D 1.132
S C
4.22 0.32p log
215.63 J
18.42
D
E k
(
(

'
(
| |
+
|
(
| |
\ .
(

|
|
(
\ .

1993
Procedure Using Equation
Assume a trial slab thickness, D
Calculate k = f(D,M
R
,E
sb
,D
sb
,D
sg
,LS)
Calculate W
18
= f(D,k,Z
R
,S
o
,p
t
,S
c
,E
c
,J )
W
18
= W
18
STOP
Yes
No

1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
Procedure Using Nomograph
Assume a trial slab thickness, D
Calculate k = f(D,M
R
,E
sb
,D
sb
,D
sg
,LS)
Find D = f(W
18
,k,Z
R
,S
o
,p
t
,S
c
,E
c
,J )
D = D
trial
STOP
Yes
No